Invertebrates are animals like jellyfish, insects, sea stars, and crabs.
Learn the Lingo
Acclimation
The process by which an animal becomes more fit for its environment over the course of its lifetime. Acclimation is different than adaptation because acclimation occurs within one generation.
Adaptation
The process by which a species becomes more fit for its environment over the course of several generations. It is a result of natural selection.
Amphibian
A group of ectothermic (cold-blooded) vertebrates that have permeable skin, lay eggs, and develop through metamorphosis.
Aquatic
A plant or animal that lives in water.
Arboreal
Living in the trees.
Bask
[For ectotherms (cold-blooded animals)]: To lay out in the sun or other warm area to increase body temperature.
Beak
The extended jaw of a bird (also known as a bill).
Bergmann's Rule
An ecological trend where animals within a species (mainly mammals and birds) are larger the further from the equator.
An ecological region or environment whose living and nonliving organisms interact to form a system.
Ecosystem Engineer
A species that creates, destroys, or maintains an ecosystem.
Ecotourism
Tourism activities that take place in nature and are designed to inspire people to conserve the natural world.
Ectotherm
An animal that relies on the outside temperature to regulate their body temperature (reptiles and amphibians). Also known as cold-blooded.
Endangered
An IUCN rating indicating a species that is threatened with extinction throughout its native range.
Endemic
Only found in one location. The saguaro cactus is endemic to the Sonoran Desert like koalas are endemic to Australia.
Endotherm
An animal that regulates their body temperature internally (mammals and birds). Also known as warm-blooded.
Environmental Indicator
A species whose presence or absence represents the health of an ecosystem.
Evolution
The theory that heritable characteristics of a species change over generations to help that species better survive their environment.
Extinct
A species that once existed that has no living individuals.
Fish
A group of ectothermic (cold-blooded) animals that live primarily or entirely in water, have fins instead of limbs, and breathe using gills.
Forest
Regions where the main plants are trees that are close together and form a closed canopy.
Freshwater Ecosystem
Regions of Earth's water systems that have a low salt content and are usually found inland. Examples include lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, wetlands, and springs.
Frugivore
An animal whose diet consists of mostly fruit.
Grassland
An ecosystem with vegetation mostly consisting of grasses with few trees or shrubs and little precipitation.
Habitat Degradation
Occurs when a natural habitat is damaged by pollution, unsustainable resource use, or other human-related actions.
Habitat Fragmentation
Occurs when large areas of natural habitat are divided and separated by human development such as roads, towns, or croplands. This results in human-wildlife conflict and inbreeding.
Habitat Loss
Occurs when habitats are destroyed and changed into human-managed land such as cropland, towns, or dams.
Herbivore
Plant eater, like a zebra!
Hibernation
An extended state of decreased activity and metabolic rate in endothermic (warm-blooded) animals during winter seasons.
To warm an egg or chick by sitting on them in the nest.
Insectivore
Diet consisting primarily of insects, like an anteater!
Insular Dwarfism
A phenomenon that occurs when an organism becomes smaller when isolated on an island usually due to increased predation pressure and lack of food.
Insular Gigantism
A phenomenon that occurs when an organism becomes larger when isolated on an island usually due to a lack of predators and abundant food.
Invertebrate
An animal that has no bones.
IUCN
The International Union for Conservation of Nature is the organization responsible for identifying the conservation status and needs of animals and habitats globally.
An animal that is hunted and eaten by another animal.
Rainforest
A forest ecosystem characterized by tall evergreen trees and heavy, consistent rainfall. Also known as a tropical forest.
Reptile
A group of ectothermic (cold-blooded) vertebrates that are covered in scales and generally lay eggs.
Roost
When a bird settles in to sleep or rest for a period of time.
Savanna
An ecosystem characterized by having an open tree canopy (where the trees do not touch) and a rainy and dry season.
Sexual Dimorphism
A significant difference in size, color, or other physical characteristic between males and females of the same species.
Species
A closely related group of animals with similar characteristics that are capable of reproducing (example: flamingos).
Subspecies
A group of animals within a species that are genetically different from other groups in the same species (example: African leopard, Indian leopard, Javan leopard, etc.).
Sustainability
The act of advancing human technology and resources while reducing our negative impact on the environment.
Symbiosis
A relationship between organisms where at least one party benefits.
Taxonomy
The scientific study of identifying, describing, and classifying organisms.
Temperate Forest
Forests with mostly broad-leaved deciduous trees that often receive heavy rainfall in the summer and snow in the winter.
Temperate Grassland
An ecosystem dominated by grasses in nutrient-rich soil that receives very little rainfall.
Terrestrial
A plant or animal that lives on land.
Theory
An explanation of a natural phenomenon that is supported by facts and hypotheses.
Tropical Grassland
A ecosystem near the equator dominated by grasses in low-nutrient soil and seasonal rains followed by extended drought.
Tundra
An ecosystem characterized by a treeless landscape and freezing temperatures; the soil is permanently frozen.
Vertebrate
An animal that has a backbone.
Vulnerable
An IUCN rating indicating a species which will become threatened if current trends continue.
Wetland
An ecosystem that is covered by salt or freshwater either permanently or seasonally.
Wildlife Conservation
The process of protecting and preserving wild animals and their habitats.
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